Oh, Coco....

how do you do it?

Summer makeup collection by Chanel. As always, click the pic to zoom in.

I've been looking for the perfect fun fuchsia lip color. It's a great way to glam up a casual summer outfit for night. Think jeans, a white tank that has feminine details gently slipping off your tan shoulder, and a great punch of lip color.

And don't worry, green and blue nails aren't going anywhere soon.

I'm pretty good with a bow...

Bows are great. They toe the line between sweet and cheeky. For the spring, tough military looks are in (cargo pants, etc.). A great way to soften up the look is with bow accessories. (Remember yin yang outfits?) There are lots of great bow accessories out right now. Here's a couple of my favorites:

Tote bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs Available in department stores like Nordstrom.


Necklace by Tiffany & Co.

Pattern

Patterns, both of the floral variety and ethnic inspired prints, are having a moment (Although, they are timeless. Some things are always fashionable, but it's like a bunch of people get excited about the same thing at once.). I'm really happy about this. But when you're used to wearing solids and very subtle patterning, it can be daunting. I loved watching The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency on HBO because it takes place in Botswana, Africa where patterns are layered and mixed with gorgeous results. It's inspiring.


A single patterned item is a great way to enliven an otherwise neutral outfit. I am in love with these shoes. I would wear them with cropped pants and a slouchy t-shirt.


You can get them from Osborn Shoes.

Clothes should be fun. If your closet is feeling a bit stagnant, inject some pattern which will change how you look at everything else.

Hot nails!

I've been looking for the perfect orange-sherbet-coral nail color for spring. Chanel has one but it won't be out for a few more weeks. As I was buying my salad for lunch I noticed the girl ringing me up had the perfect color! I asked her what it was and she told me it's from the new OPI Hong Kong collection and it's called Hot & Spicy.It looks even better in person. You can buy it in salons, as I will be doing.

She also recommended the chocolate hazelnut cookies. So I got one. Some people just know their stuff.

Purse-onality

Last weekend while shopping at Filene's Basement, this bag caught my eye and I couldn't resist.

If you can't make it to the Basement, you can buy it here.

Usually, I like classic leather handbags, but there's something about Tokidoki that just strikes me in that fashion bliss part of my heart. Plus, if I drop it in the snow, I'll be able to find it. See, sensible.

But I LOVE it.

In a recent post in the Stylephile blog on Boston.com, Courtney Hollands used the following picture to illustrate how shag carpeting is a 1960s nightmare.

But all I could think was: Where is this place? Do such wonders still exist? Can I move there? A balcony? You know there's at least 3 wet bars in that room.

It seems like it's in a swanky New York high-rise or in a Hollywood mansion . But what if it was the interior of a cabin in the woods? Or if you stuck it in the back of your property as a sort of grown-up fort/studio? Your living space needs to be, well, livable, but if you're designing a camp for example, you should be able to have fun.

Why don't you...

Put fruit on a cake stand.

Make your food do double duty as decor.